Infantino Under Heavy Fire: Serbia and Sweden Withdraw Support
The FIFA president faces growing opposition from European federations ahead of the 2027 elections, with sources claiming the U.S. president could provide crucial backing.
The FIFA president faces growing opposition from European federations ahead of the 2027 elections, with sources claiming the U.S. president could provide crucial backing.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, is under the most intense pressure since taking the helm of world football's governing body in 2016. After his ambitious multi-billion-dollar plan collapsed, key European federations are turning their backs on him, yet reports are emerging that help could come from Washington, from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The football associations of Serbia and Sweden announced on Monday that they are withdrawing their support for Infantino's candidacy for a fourth term in the 2027 elections. They were joined by the Football Association of Wales, which had already withdrawn its support earlier. These are the first public signs of opposition to his re-election campaign.
The Serbian Football Association stated in a release that it had reconsidered its position after still supporting Infantino on May 25. "Recent events, which have caused significant damage to the image and reputation of both FIFA and its president, have made the withdrawal of our support the only logical and reasonable decision," their statement read. The Swedish association, following an emergency board meeting, cited recurring concerns about governance, transparency, and leadership within FIFA, adding that they no longer have confidence in Infantino's leadership.
The crisis escalated after FIFA abandoned its plan to sell a stake in the commercial rights to its competitions, including the World Cup. The goal was to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling about 20 percent of a new company that would manage those rights. However, the plan met with strong opposition from numerous federations and clubs.
According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, UEFA has expressed dissatisfaction with Infantino's leadership and is attempting to rally support from African and Asian federations to initiate his removal. The English Football Association (FA) is reportedly ready to withdraw its earlier support. Europe is targeting federations from Africa and Asia, which together hold about 100 votes out of FIFA's 211 member associations.
While resistance grows in Europe, Infantino could receive unexpected support from across the Atlantic. The New York Post reported that Infantino has tried to contact Donald Trump seeking his support. The Telegraph, meanwhile, reports that the U.S. president could play a crucial role in saving the FIFA chief.
"Gianni has helped us a lot to organize the best World Cup ever. The president holds him in high regard. I'm sure he will do everything he can to help him," a source close to the U.S. president told The Telegraph. Their cooperation dates back to their first meeting in 2018, and Infantino recently presented Trump with a specially crafted golden trophy bearing his name during the draw for the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will host.
Although FIFA and the U.S. State Department have previously denied reports of planned talks with members of the Trump administration, the close relationship between the two leaders could now be crucial for Infantino's survival.
Despite the pressure, Infantino still has his allies. Support has already been expressed by the federations of Morocco, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and Lebanon, while the African Football Confederation has not directly rejected his failed project. Infantino announced his candidacy for a fourth term in April 2026. He has been at the helm of FIFA since 2016, when he succeeded Sepp Blatter, and has so far been elected twice without opposition. The FIFA presidential election will take place in 2027.
